Lewis Miley has another opportunity to continue his development away from Newcastle United when England U21s face Kazakhstan on Friday night.
The 20-year-old midfielder is part of Lee Carsley’s squad for the final three matches of England’s European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign.
England host Kazakhstan at Molineux at 7:30pm BST on Friday, before facing Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland in October.
England Football confirmed Miley’s inclusion in a midfield group which also contains Jobe Bellingham, Archie Gray, Josh King and Sydie Peck.
It represents another important international window for Miley after his role at Newcastle grew significantly during the opening weeks of the season.
Lewis Miley handed major responsibility at Newcastle
Miley is no longer simply viewed as one of Newcastle’s promising academy graduates.
Matthias Jaissle has continued to trust the Stanley-born midfielder at first-team level and Newcastle recently included him in their new five-man leadership group.
As Read Newcastle reported this week, Miley joined Dan Burn, Joelinton, Malick Thiaw and Yoane Wissa in the group despite being only 20 years old.
That decision underlines the responsibility he is already being given at St James’ Park.
Miley has also been involved regularly with England’s U21s.
UEFA lists the Newcastle midfielder with three appearances and 173 minutes in the current European Championship qualifying campaign.
England enter Friday’s game top of their group after winning six of their opening seven qualifiers.
A victory over Kazakhstan would leave Carsley’s side in a strong position before their potentially decisive meeting with Slovakia at Stoke City’s bet365 Stadium on 2 October.
The Young Lions then finish their qualifying campaign away to the Republic of Ireland on 6 October.
Newcastle will monitor Miley during international break
Newcastle will naturally hope Miley comes through the international period without any fitness concerns.
The Magpies already have several players away from Tyneside and Read Newcastle is tracking every Newcastle player on international duty throughout the break.
Friday’s game can be watched live on the England app, with England Football confirming coverage from Molineux.
For Miley, meaningful minutes with England would provide another useful opportunity to build rhythm before returning to a Newcastle side that now expects considerably more from him than his age might suggest.
